Here are some photos of tile I like. For the photo below, the tiles are, left to right:

Lancaster 3x6 subway, color "open seas". $9 / sq ft.

"Nirvana Bliss" rimmed 1" penny tile. $9 / sq ft.

"Jamaica Verde" 4x4 ceramic. $5 / sq ft.

The photo below is of the expensive tiles, from left to right:

"Quill basil" - this is impractical. Once i saw it in the flesh, although pretty, I realized it would be really hard to clean, and it's expensive ($20 / sq ft). But very pretty :)

Nabi crackle tile "arctic blue" 3x6. This is also probably too expensive, unless I could install myself (?!). ($20 / sq ft)

Nabi crackle tile "tundra" 3x6. I'm sharing this because on the Tilebar website, it looks gray. In person, it's a soft green. Also expensive. ($20 / sq ft)

A kitchen can work juts fine without a backsplash for a while ... I would save for a few months to get the tile that I truly love.

Thanks @chispa! I agree to take my time - I've been looking for 3 months, and am just itching to complete it. I had planned on wallpaper as an interim measure, but I chose something very patterned that - once I stuck some up, was too distracting. I also want to choose tile so I can finally paint/decorate my dining 'area' that is adjacent to my kitchen (see photo below - I will be replacing the light fixture!!). I like the cement tiles in the second photo - I should look into that more...

Thanks @eam44, I value your feedback! I think I'll avoid zellige type tiles, for the reasons you mention - my installer will be my handyman (whose work I've seen!) or I may even try my hand at it to minimize costs. I do like the 4" tile, if I chose a tile like that I'd lay it in a staggered pattern (like traditional subway tiles) rather than vertically, to avoid a bathroom look.

@AMS, I think it is a Fireclay tile and can be ordered in custom colors.

Edit: found it. Not cheap, buy maybe worth saving up for ...

https://www.fireclaytile.com/handpainted/detail/padma?color=cool-motif

@AMS, do you have any inspiration images?

The way Houzz is jumbling up these posts it’s hard to know who is posting what, when.

@eam44, welcome to the new and improved Houzz! Not!

After you post, refresh the page and then click "oldest/newest" across from Comment (#) . The posts should show up "normally". Unfortunately you have to do this everytime you post.

It’s the “Read More” nonsense that gets to me. Almost all of my posts include links and images. Maybe I should just stop posting them.

Thanks both! Wow, those Fireclay tiles are pricey! Beautiful, but pricey (isn't that just how it goes?!). Here are some inspiration photos - the first is probably my most favorite, but let's be honest - it's a fabulous kitchen with farmhouse details, and I have a tiny galley kitchen. But I love the tile. Part of me thinks - I have such a tiny area, should I even bother trying to make it great?

This kitchen is more similar to mine. Love the color, but my house has more blue (not olive).

This is also very pretty tile. One thing I am concerned about is that I do not want to have a beachy look. I live in Minnesota, not the coast.

I like this one because of the accent tile - I have been trying to locate 'sizzle strips' like this (or fancy liner tiles) and have struck out.

I like the teal squares! Watch the penny tiles- too many people come back here and complain about the install, the gaps between the sheets are hard to disguise.

Thanks Heather! Yes, I think you're right on the penny tiles - they're so pretty, but if they're not installed perfectly it's really obvious... and that would drive me nuts ! :)

Have you looked at the Cloé tiles in baby blue? They might hit the right balance for you. They are manufactured in Spain using (I think) five different but similar glazes to mimic the variation you can see in hand glazed tiles. They’re available in 2.5”x8” subway tiles and 5” squares for around $7/sf.

Thank you @eam44, those tiles look perfect, and the price sure is right. I had never come across these in my research, so appreciate you finding them! I will see if they are sold anywhere near me...

Oh great! I’m glad to be of help. You might have to order samples, anyway, keep us posted!

You might want to look at some of the Encore tiles. Not cheap, but they are similar to some of your inspiration photos.